Virgin Voyages has deployed more than 1,500 AI agents across its operations. This represents a nearly 2,900% increase from the 50 it had when it first partnered with Google Cloud in October 2025, according to a company statement. The company said this signals a fundamental shift in how it operates, with a 100% Gemini Enterprise...

Swan Hellenic has unveiled two 32-night Grand Voyages exploring the remote regions of Antarctica aboard the SH Minerva. Called “Ultimate Antarctica Adventure: From Ushuaia to Dunedin,” the voyages follow the same itinerary from South America to New Zealand, sailing from February 3 to March 8, 2027, and from February 4 to March 7, 2028. The...

The Carnival Venezia recently returned to Port Canaveral after offering a 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise. As one of the longest itineraries being offered by the ship this year, the two-week voyage departed from Central Florida on Feb. 22, 2026. Before returning to Port Canaveral, the itinerary included visits to a series of destinations in the...

Guests from Holland America Line’s two 2026 Grand Voyages united in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, March 7. Together with captains and senior officers from the Zaandam and Volendam, guests gathered for an event called Chocolate Afternoon Tea aboard the Zaandam. The meeting coincided with the ships’ overlapping call, creating what Holland says is a rare...

Explora Journeys has celebrated three milestones at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard for a trio of vessels being built there. Held on March 3, the celebration included the launch of the Explora IV, the coin ceremony of the Explora V and the start of construction of the Explora VI. The Explora IV and Explora V are...

Scenic Group will add three river ships to its fleet in 2027 and 2028, including one Emerald Cruises vessel and two Scenic ships, the company announced in a press release. “Our commitment to an additional three new river ships for the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands reflects our confidence in the strong demand for our...

Port Canaveral reached a construction milestone on its new Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage when a 600 square-foot, 36.7 ton pre-cast concrete wall section was lowered into place. This marks the beginning of vertical construction on the 13 story facility, the port said in a press release. The $93 million, 3,732 space garage is...

TUI River Cruises will launch the TUI Elara in summer 2027, the company’s fifth ship in its European fleet, the company said in a press release. The 138 passenger vessel will operate five, seven and 14 night sailings along the Rhine, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian waterways from Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel. “As we enter our...

Atlas Ocean’s Mediterranean Epicurean Expeditions sailing July through September 2026 have limited availability remaining, the company said in a statement. These experiences offer a deep dive into the history, nature, art or cuisine of a destination through an exclusive excursion ashore or an event onboard. “Our 2026 Mediterranean Epicurean Expeditions are designed to go beyond...

The luxury cruise ship orderbook shows more than three dozen new vessel introductions coming from now through 2027. Highlights include the entries of Four Seasons and Orient Express, and Explora Journeys rounding out its fleet to six ships by 2028. For a complete overview of the market, see the new 2026 Luxury Market Report by...

Adora Cruises is launching the “Sea Film Festival” themed sailing season from late March to late June this year. Organized in partnership with Changying Group, the immersive cinematic journey at sea will take place simultaneously aboard the Adora Magic City, Adora Mediterranea and the Piano Land, which is operated by Astro Ocean Cruises. According to...

Carnival Corporation has held a series of high-level meetings and industry engagements in Bermuda, the company said in a statement. One of these was the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit. Marie McKenzie, senior vice president of government and destination affairs at Carnival Corporation, participated in the panel “Routes Across the Region” at the...

The construction of R Yacht’s first vessel, the Sefu, is progressingat the WestSea Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. In a newsletter update, the company shared the first pictures of the building process, in addition to details of the project. R Yacht said that the Sefu is “slowly starting to take shape” at the Portuguese...

Royal Caribbean International is making changes to its beverage packages, which will no longer include access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and a souvenir cup by default. According to the company’s website, guests who purchase the Deluxe or Royal Refreshment packages will be able to use the product as an add-on starting on March 15, 2026....

The Port of Palm Beach recently debuted a new canopy for its cruise terminal, according to an update shared on social media. According to the port authority, the new structure improves guest experiences by providing shade on sunny days and added protection during rainy weather. The canopy links the port’s parking lots with the main...

Emerald Cruises’ Emerald Kaia is entering service in a month, on April 4, 2026, when it is set to kick off its inaugural Mediterranean season. The ship will offer what the company described as a refined, modern expression of luxury at sea that feels personal rather than programmed. “Every element of Emerald Kaia has been...

Adora Cruises plans to deploy the Adora Mediterranea on a series of cruises departing from the Chinese port of Dalian for a second consecutive year. According to a press release, five international five-day, four-night voyages are planned, departing May 26 to June 3 and October 11 to October 19, 2026. The sailings will take guests...

The MSC Musica will sail from three additional homeports during its 2026-27 winter season in Brazil and South America. As part of a series of changes to MSC’s plans in the region, the vessel will offer departures from Paranaguá, Itajaí, and Rio de Janeiro between January and February. Sailing from its new homeports, the ship...

Adora Cruises announced that it would launch its “2026 Cruise Carnival” livestream event, running from March 5 to March 31, 2026. The event aims to introduce cruise travel to more Chinese consumers through a series of online activities, promote cruise culture and contribute to the development of the cruise economy in Shanghai and across China,...

Ponant Explorations’ “Antarctica: Ocean (Re)Imagined” voyage in 2027 aboard the Le Lyrial will feature ocean scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), an independent ocean science organization. Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, on December 7, 2027, the trip comprises a 10-night immersive expedition and a pre-night stay in Buenos Aires on December 6, 2027, for a...

Jefferies analyst David Katz updated his outlook on two major cruise operators this week following their fourth quarter and year end 2025 earnings, lifting his price target on Viking while maintaining a cautious stance on Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Viking Impresses In a note sent to investors, Katz raised his price target on Viking $91...

Royal Caribbean International announced the Spectrum of the Seas’ 2026-27 Hong Kong homeport season, featuring new itineraries including a long-awaited combined Japan and South Korea route. The upcoming season offers expanded scheduling with more flexibility and choice for vacationers. The lineup includes exclusive, one-time-only itineraries designed to meet growing demand for diverse cruise vacations from...

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises plans to launch new cruise and tour itineraries in partnership with sister brand Luxury Gold in 2027. The company said in a press release that the journeys will feature a blend of its all-inclusive river cruising with Luxury Gold’s small-group land travel, offering deeper immersion, luxury hotel stays, and seamless logistics....

Silversea has won the 2026 Vibe Vista Award for the Best Wine Program at Questex’s Vibe Conference, the company said in a statement. Held February 23–25 in San Diego, the 2026 conference welcomed attendees from national and regional chain restaurants, hotels, cruise lines, airlines and casinos, among others. According to the statement, the Vibe Vista...

The MSC Virtuosa recently completed five years of service after being delivered to MSC Cruises in February 2021. As the fourth ship in the company’s Meraviglia Class, the vessel is a sister to the MSC Grandiosa, which boasts a slightly larger design than the first two ships in the series, the MSC Meraviglia and the...

AIDA Cruises is seeing strong demand for cruises and a high share of premium bookings and remains positive despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, the company said in a statement. Current figures show that just over three million German ocean cruise passengers traveled in 2025, growing by nine percent compared to the previous year. “Cruising in Germany...

Havila Voyages is introducing a cruise concept that combines sailing along the Norwegian coast with a multi-day stay in Svolværl, Lofoten. The land program will be integrated part of the route and not just a pre- or post-cruise add-on for what the company says is the first time. Called the Lofoten Coastal Stopover, the concept...

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announced Luminara’s summer 2027 deployment, featuring 21 voyages across Alaska and Asia from April through October. The season includes 15 Alaska voyages sailing between Vancouver and Whittier, four Asia itineraries and two transpacific crossings. “Our summer 2027 season on Luminara reflects our continued focus on immersive exploration by sea, pairing expanded...

Scenic Group has presented a new US pricing structure that will take effect on March 9, 2026. The simplified structure is designed for transparency, flexibility and strategic value, the company said in a press release. “This pricing evolution reflects the next chapter of Scenic Group’s growth in the United States. We are strengthening clarity in...

StarCruises has introduced three five-night cruises from Hong Kong aboard the Star Voyager. In March, April and May, the ship will be sailing to the islands of Okinawa, Japan, and the coasts of Vietnam and Sanya, China. “We are delighted to introduce these special 5 Night cruises from Hong Kong as part of our continued...

Neil Harding will step back from his positions as non-executive director and non-executive president at Harding+, the company announced on March 4. Harding founded Harding+ and has worked with the holding board for many years, initially as owner and founder and more recently in non-executive roles. “What has always mattered most to me is the...

Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI) closed 2025 with a record 4,708,190 cruise passengers, the highest volume since the organization’s statistical series started in 1994, the association said in a statement. This number represents a 12.64% increase compared to 2024, when 4,179,673 passengers were recorded. “These figures confirm the excellent momentum currently experienced by the Atlantic island...

Carnival Corporation hosted a celebration for 20th anniversary of the Grand Turk Cruise Center on the Turks and Caicos Islands on March 4. The milestone was celebrated with two events, one at the Grand Turk Cruise Center and one in port. “Grand Turk holds a special place in our history and in our future,” said...

Aroya Cruises is monitoring operational conditions in the Arabian Gulf, according to a spokesperson from the company. After launching its inaugural season in the region in late February, the Saudi-based cruise line is scheduled to offer cruises from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through early May. “The safety, security and comfort of...

Riviera Travel is offering rewards for new bookings made by travel advisors as part of a promo running through April 30, 2026, according to a press release. Advisors can earn a $75 gift card for every new river cruise booking, with a grand prize of a $3,000 gift card or flight voucher. The advisor with...

The Orient Express Corinthian has recently completed its first sea trials ahead of its delivery, which is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026. As the first ship to be introduced by Orient Express Sailing Yachts, the 15,000-ton vessel is currently being built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard in France. According to an update...

Seabourn has launched its new “Yours to Explore Event,” a promotion offering a complimentary suite upgrade and shipboard credit for itineraries sailing in 2026 and beyond. According to a press release, the promo applies to more than 500 ocean and expedition itineraries and is available now through May 5, 2026. “Whether exploring the fall foliage...

Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have announced a new global leadership structure. This follows the appointment of Wesley D’Silva as Regent Seven Seas president, effective March 2. D’Silva will report to Jason Montague, who will stay on as chief luxury officer for Oceania and Regent Seven Seas. In a statement, the two companies...

Fincantieri has delivered Norwegian Luna to Norwegian Cruise Line at its Marghera shipyard in Venice, marking the second vessel in the expanded Prima Plus Class the Italian yard is building for the brand. The handover ceremony was attended by Biagio Mazzotta, Chairman of Fincantieri, and Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division....

Ryobi Group’s R Yacht has selected cruisePAL’s reservation system (CRS) and ship management system (SMS) for its operations. The company added that its team visited R Yacht in Japan, where it conducted demos. In addition to a web-based reservation system that is said to simplify booking processes, R Yacht will also use the cruisePAL SMS...

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is adding warm-weather cruises in the western Indian Ocean for the Hanseatic Nature in winter 2027/28. Ten cruises will be available between October 2027 and March 2028, exploring remote islands, atolls and coastlines from West Africa to South Africa, the Seychelles and Madagascar. “For us, expeditions are not defined by temperature, but by...

Nicko Cruises presented the news for its 2027-28 season during the ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse) in Germany. According to a press release, the company will offer new river cruising itineraries, in addition to a fifth world cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama. The 172-day itinerary is set to start in Lisbon on November 4, 2027,...

Azamara Cruises has opened bookings for 14 World Cruise Segments, nine Grand Voyages and six Combination Cruises from its 2028 World Cruise. Spanning 175 nights aboard the Azamara Onward, the 2028 World Cruise spans six continents, 40 countries and 91 ports. “Azamara Cruises’ 2028 World Cruise is our most immersive global journey yet, designed for...

AIDA Cruises has presented its leisure, sports and educational activities for children, teens and families onboard its vessels for the 2026 season. These range from professionally supervised swimming lessons and basketball camps to hands-on workshops and creative programs. DLRG Swimming Swimming courses will again be offered on selected cruises onboard the AIDAprima, AIDAperla and AIDAnova...

Celestyal Cruises cancelled all the sailings that were still set to be operated in the Arabian Gulf in 2025-26, the company said in a statement. Both of the brand’s vessels are currently in the region and are expected to return to Greece soon, Celestyal added. “We continue to follow developments in the Middle East and...

BNP Paribas Senior Analyst Xian Siew lifted his price target on Viking Holdings (NYSE: VIK) to $91 from $88 following the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, maintaining a positive rating as accelerating pricing trends. Siew noted the outperformance was particularly notable given Viking does not provide formal guidance and had already disclosed that most of its...

MSC Cruises said it is cooperating with airline partners in the Middle East, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, to identify and secure return flights for its guests. “We are requesting priority for our guests from our partners. At present, airlines operating flights have indicated that they will follow an order of priority based on the...

Disney Cruise Line christened the Disney Adventure on March 4 in Singapore, marking the cruise line’s first vessel to sail in Southeast Asia. The christening ceremony took place in the Walt Disney Theatre aboard the vessel, featuring performances by regional vocalists and musicians, a 23-piece orchestra and appearances from Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie...

Barcelona Europe Supply, part of The Apollo Group has announced the appointment of Serafín Blázquez Moguer as Global Business Development Director, marking another step in the company’s broader international expansion strategy, according to a press release. Moguer joins as part of a phased strengthening of the company’s commercial and operational platform as it continues to...

Assa Abloy’s affiliate Traka has announced the release of Traka Touch Core, a compact electronic key cabinet. According to a press release, the cabinet is designed to deliver professional-grade key control for small and mid-sized organizations and multi-site operations. The company said it wanted to address the operational challenge arising from managing physical keys, manual...

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 arrived in Sydney Harbour on March 4 during her 108-night World Voyage from Southampton. The vessel sailed into the harbor with the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as a backdrop. “For 185 years, Cunard ships have transported more than passengers; they have been the bearer of stories, ideas and...

On March 2, the Celebrity Solstice set sail from Singapore, where it was undergoing upgrades since mid-January. The Celebrity Cruises vessel now features eight new experiences, including four brand-new spaces, according to a statement from the company. “Celebrity Solstice launched our Solstice Series ships and defined a generation of Celebrity Cruises travel. This reimagination honors...

The Costa Smeralda had to cancel a visit to La Goulette in Tunisia due to adverse weather conditions in the Western Mediterranean. According to an update shared with guests onboard, the ship will no longer visit the port as scheduled on March 4, 2026. “As part of the constant monitoring of all destinations included in...

TUI Cruises shared a new update regarding its operations in the Middle East on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. In an official statement on its website, the company said it is in close contact with the relevant authorities as well as international security experts. “The situation remains unchanged at this time. Our guests are still onboard...

Wesley D’Silva has been named President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, effective March 2. D’Silva expressed enthusiasm for the new role in a LinkedIn post, saying he is “incredibly energized and optimistic about what lies ahead.” In his announcement, D’Silva thanked colleagues who supported his career progression, as well as the line’s guests and travel...

The Carnival Encounter is getting Carnival Cruise Line’s new livery during its current drydock in Singapore. After pausing its operations in early February, the vessel is undergoing a series of updates and refreshed public areas. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, features being introduced include a new Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite, as well...

Margaritaville at Sea announced that its two ships achieved a mark of 100 on their most recent inspections conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPH). According to a statement, the Paradise and the Islander earned perfect scores, reflecting full compliance across all areas reviewed. The unannounced inspections by USPH, part of the Centers for...

Viking’s purpose-built fleet, engineered for efficiency, consistency and guest experience, helped serve as a driver of the company’s strong financial results in 2025, according to remarks made by Founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen during the company’s fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call. On the ocean side, Viking operates one of the youngest fleets in the cruise...

American Cruise Lines will operate a 15-night, 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise starting in May 2027, the company said in a press release. This roundtrip cruise from Portland, Oregon, will sail onboard the American Anthem, a 180-guest riverboat set to join American Cruise Line’s fleet in 2027. The company said the amenities and...

Avora Residences has acquired the Seven Seas Navigator from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The vessel will debut in January 2028 as Avora Lumina, serving as the flagship of Avora’s residential platform designed specifically for long-term living at sea, the company said in a statement. “Residential cruising has proven its viability,” said Mikael Petterson, Founder of...